International sales from companies serving the oil and gas sector grew by more than a fifth to reach £10 billion in 2012-13, a new report revealed.

Overseas sales from companies providing goods and services to the sector increased by 22 per cent, according to new figures from Scottish Enterprise.

Meanwhile total oil and gas supply chain sales from Scotland amounted to £19.9 billion in 2012-13, a rise of 15.4 per cent on the previous year.

That meant that international deals accounted for just over half (50.2 per cent) of all sales from the sector, up from 47.6 per cent in 2011-12.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing announced the new figures at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, where he is heading up a delegation of more than 60 Scottish oil and gas services companies.

He said: "Scotland has established a global reputation within the oil and gas sector and I am delighted that these latest figures show an increase in international sales, which now account for more than 50 per cent of total sales.

"The value of this activity to the economy and exchequer is substantial. International sales by Scotland's oil and gas supply chain rose by 22 per cent in 2012-13, to £10 billion."

The figures are contained in the first international oil and gas survey, which was undertaken by Scottish Enterprise together with Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC).

The research also forecast export sales from the Scottish oil and gas supply chain sector could grow by 32 per cent over the next five years, with domestic sales predicted to increase by 18 per cent over this period.

Mr Ewing added: "Scotland is leading the way in the world of oil and gas and has a clear competitive advantage in this truly global industry. There are huge opportunities open to us internationally and we are determined to make the most of them.

"The Scottish Government recognises the substantial contribution that the oil and gas industry makes to our economy. Our objective is to make clear that Scotland's oil and gas wealth is not just the resources that we extract but the expertise that we have built up. We are working with the industry to continue to strengthen Scotland's position as a global leader in the sector and these figures mark further growth in this important part of our economy."

North America was the top region for overseas sales, with these rising by a third to reach £3.6 billion in 2012-13, followed by Africa, where sales almost doubled to £2.3 billion.

David Rennie, head of oil and gas at Scottish Enterprise, said: "Scotland has built up a global reputation in oil and gas expertise over the past 40 years, and these latest results clearly indicate that our skills and expertise remain in growing demand across the globe.

"Helping our supply chain to develop opportunities in new markets is a key focus of Scotland's industry-led oil and gas strategy."

James Bream, research and policy director at AGCC, said: "The findings are great news for the oil and gas sector in Scotland and mirror what AGCC members are telling us about the increasingly important role international activity has in their business. The sector is not only an economic driving force domestically with record investment in recent years but is now a critical part of our export driven economy."